Convertible crane



Sept. 2, 1924.

' 1,506,906 ,A. E.\HOLCOMB ET AL I V convsm'mw CRANE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed Sept. 12, 1922 m2 flZL/Yalcwnb Leslie 4-.Rwsceli 61101 new Sept. 2, 1924.

A. E. HOLCOMBYET AL CONVERTIBLE CRANE Original Filed Sept. 12, 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 nvenl'oz Sept. 2, 1924. A. E. HOLCOMB ET AL CONVERTIBLE CRANE Original Fil ed Sept. 12,1922 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 15 locomotive crane ty Patented Sept. 2, 1924 UNITED STATES v 5 2 PATENT OFFICE.

m a HOLCOMIB AND LESLIE a RUSSELL, orinLwAuxEE, wxsoozisnv, Assrenons TO xoaname compan or MILWAUKEE, wrsconsm, A coaronnrrou or wIscoNsm.

continuation of application I December 8,1922.

Wisconsin, have invented. certain new and Y useful Improvements in Convertible Cranes, of which the following is a specification, this application being a continuation of the 10 application for patent of Alpheus E. Holcomb, filed Sept. 12, 1922, Ser. No. 587,676, for convertible crane.

This invention has to do with excavating machinery, and especially machines of the pe. The invention deals with the problem of adapting a locomotive crane to do different kinds of work. That is to say in the economical development of a crane of the above mentioned class, it is desirable that the machine be so constructed that by mere interchange of boom and bucket equipment, it may be converted from a shovel type crane, usually known as a steam or power shovel, into a clamshell or drag- 85 line bucket type of crane.

By, the present invention the convertibility of the crane machinery to dothe different kinds of work of a steam shovel, a clamshell bucket crane, and a dragline bucket crane, is achieved without the necessity for the interchanging of any parts of the main machinery, involving removal of a main drum or drums, and the replacement of a substitute differently constructed part.

adapted for its clamshell class of'work, if it is desired to convert the crane into a power shovel type machine, it is only necessary to add a part to the main operating mechanism,

40 and connect up existing parts, which may be readily done, and substitute fonthe clamshell bucket and boom equipment, the shovel boom and dipper equipment.

When it is desired to convert the machin from a dragline bucket crane into a power shovel, the same operation is necessary in general principle.

' When it is desired to convert the crane from a clamshell type to a dra line bucket type, it is only necessary to su itute the dragline bucket and cables for the clamshell bucket and cables, and shift a clutch to opcrate. the main operating drums at the proper reduction of speed. Exactly opconv'aarmm ems.

the crane of this invention to be Serial No. 587,676, filed September 12, 1922. This application fled Serial No. 805,750.

posite substitutions would be made in the conversion from a dragline bucket into a clamshell bucket type with a shifting of change speed gearing to give the necessary mcrease'in speed of the opera drums.

With the foregoing in view a fu 1 understanding of the invention may be had on reference to the accompanying drawings, in

which;

Figures 1, 2 and 3 are side elevation views of clamshell, dragline, and power shovel types of cranes, the views being largely diagrammatic, and the operating machinery being illustrated as w en connected up for the actuation of'boom and bucket equipments.

Figure 4 is'a plan view of the main operating gearing.

Figure 5 is a side view showing more clearly the dipper stick and shovel boom arrangement with the sprocket driving mechanism therefor.

Figure 6 is a plan view partially in section showing more clearl the main operating drum, the hoisting (from, and the permanent and detachable sprocket arrangements rovided therefor, whereby the convertib' 1ty functions of the machine are achieved. I

To those versed in the art, it will be apparent that the main operating machinery of the crane illustrated in the drawings is substantially that of the Type known today t as the Koehring crane. he said'main o crating machinery includes primarily t e car or body A adapted to be rotated as usual by the turntable gear 1 actuated from the turning pinion 2 in the customary manner. The main operating machinery of the crane includes the front main operating drum 4 and the rear main hoisting drum 5 connected by suitable gearing with the engine or motor 3 on the car or body A. The said gearing is ipreferabl of a change speed type forming a novel eature of the construction of the typeof crane in connection with which this invention is used, enabling ready conversion of the crane from its use in conjunction with a clamshell bucket, to that involving the use of a dragline bucket. Figure 4 will be referred to as showing best the gearing arrangements that will now be set forth in a general way to enable an understanding of the improvements of this and motion ma invention. The drive for the drums 4 and 5 is'taken from the motor by a drive pinion- 7 on the engine shaft 6, meshing with a transmitting gear 8 that engages a drive gear 9 cooperative with a high speed gear 10, the gears 9 and 10 being coaxially mounted on the jackshaftll. clutch 12 of any suitable type preferably friction, is used to connect the gear 9 with the shaft 11, be transmitted from the shaft 11 to the pinion 2 for turning the body A, and to the shaft 24 on which the drum 5 is mounted for drivin said shaft and turning the boom hoist rum 13 mounted thereon, said drum being adapted to operate a boom hoist cable 13 by which the boom 14 used from the clamshell and dragline bucket equi ments may be peaked in and out. (See Figures 1 and 2.) 1

The gear 10 meshes with the high speed driven gear 15 on the countershaft 16. and.

there is provided the clutch 17 to enable connection of the gear 15 with the countershaft 16. The shaft 11 is equipped with a slow speed driving gear 18 mounted on the end thereof opposite the gear 10, and adapted to be connected with the shaft for rotation by means of a clutch 19. The gear 18 meshes with a slow speed driven gear I 20, and the gear 20 is carried on the shaft 16 and is adapted to be connected with the said shaft by the clutch 21. At its right hand end the shaft 16 has a high and low speed ear 22 and a gear 23 on the shaft 1 24 mes es with the gear 22. and enables a low speed driving connection to be established from the shaft 11 and the drum 5.

The shaft 24 is connected with the main operating shaft 25 by means of gears 26 and 27 mounted on the shafts 24 and 25 respectively, and keyed thereto.

A high speed drive for the drums 4 and 5 is obtained when the clutch 12 is active, motion being transmitted thru gear 9, shaft 11, gear 10, gear 15, shaft 16, which is under these conditions connected with the gear 15 by throwing in the clutch 17, motion thence being transmitted to the drums thru the gears 22, 23, and shaft 24 connected with shaft 25 by gears 26 and 27.

When it is desired to drive the drums 4 and 5*at low speed, motion is transmitted thru the ear 9, shaft 11, gear 18, rendered operative y throwing in the clutch 19, gears 20, 22, 23 and shaft 24, the clutch'21 also being rendered operative. When the slow speed is used the clutch 17 for the high speed gear 15 is of course thrown out. Normally the drums 4 and 5 are loose upon their respective shafts 25 and 24, a friction clutch being availed of in case of each drum to operatively connect it to each shaft. The friction clutch for the drum 5 is designated 28, and thatfor the drum 4, 29. The boom hoist drum 13 is adapted to be operated 'clamshell type crane to the drag-line, and

vice versa, involves only two main thingsi the application of the particular cable an bucket equipment to the boom, and connect-' ingthe cables u to the hoistin and operating drums 4' and 5; ing of the clutch mechanisms so that the slowspeed drive will be used for dragline bucket operations, andthe high s eed drive will be used for the clamshell buc et operations. Under these conditions, of course, the

boom hoist drum 13 will be employed for peaking the boom in and out as required.

Referrin now to Figures 3 to 6 inclusive, it wil be noted that there surrounds the'shaft 24 intermediate the drum 5 and the boom hoist drum 13, a sprocket gear 30, the sprocket 30 is attached by suitable fastenings to the inner end of the drum 13. Likewise, there is clamped on the shaft 25, and attached by bolts or other fastenings to the end of the drum 4, a second sprocket 31. The sprockets 30 and 31 are permanently applied to the respective parts as shown, or in any suitable manner otherwise than shown. A sprocket chain 32 connects these two sprockets together so as to establish a driving relation between the drum 13 and the drum 4. This driving relation is such as to permit of transmitting motion from the drum 13 to the drum 4 in a direction opposite to the drive adapted to be communicated to the drum 4 when the clutch 29 is rendered operative. In other words, when the boom hoist clutch 13 is thrown in, and the clutch 29 is thrown out, the drum 4 will be turned in one direction at a relatively slow speed, a speed which weavail of, as will shortly be described, to

and secon ly, the shift-' sprocket 35. This sprocket is adapted to be placed on the drum and clamped there by bolts or suitable detachable fastenings when the crane is to be used for power shovel work. Under these conditions it may be noted that the boom 33 of the power shovel,

see Fig. 3, does not have to be raised or lowered, and owing to this fact we are enabled I to utilize the boom hoist drum for its purpose as an operating drum for the dipper stick 34 when the clamshell and dragline boom and bucket equipments are not being used. It is under these conditions, of course, that the drum 4 is not necessary to be used as a cable drum for which purpose of course it is employed in clamshell and dragline work.

Thus it is possible in convertingthe machincry for the purpose of shovel work to em-.

ploy the drum 4 as a means for holding the sprocket 35 and driving said sprocket. The sprocket 35 is connected by a sprocket chain 36 with the shipper-shaft 37 on the boom 33, said shaft having a sprocket 39 to receive the chain 36, and also carrying the crowding pinions 38 which operate in conjunction with the dipper stick 34, in the well known manner not necessary to be described.

Recapitulating, having in view the foregoing description, when the crane is being used as a power shovel, the shovel boom and dipper stick provisions are utilized as m Fig. 3, the drum 4 is provided with 1ts detachable sprocket 35, and said sprocket 35 is connected by the chain 36 with the shipper-shaft sprocket 39. Throwing in of the clutch 13 will operate the hoisting drum 33 and sprocket chain drive from said drum to the drum 4 giving the crowding out drive for the dipper stick and dipper operation. Throwing outof the clutch 13 and throwing in of the clutch 29 reverses the operation ofthe drum 4, and drives the drum at increased speed to provide the racking in movement for the dipper stick and dipper. We thus have the machinery of the crane adapted to produce the ordinary shovel crane driving operation.

Supposing it be desired to convert the shovel type crane as thus described into a clamshell bucket type crane. To do this the shovel boom and dipper provisions are removed with the sprocket chain 36. The sprocket gear 35 is detached from the drum 4 and the sprocket chain 32 is removed so as to disestablish the connection between the drum 13 and the drum 4. Placing in osition the clamshell boom and bucket an cable equipments and connecting the cables up to the drums 4 and 5 and 13 in the usual manner will create a clamshell bucket'type crane for the use of which the hi h speed drive for the drums is employed. The substitution of a dragline bucket and cable equipment connected up to the clamshell boom and the other usual connections between the cables and drums will convert the clamshell bucket crane into a draglinc bucket crane, for which use the slow speed drive involving the throwing in of the clutches 19 and 21 and throwing out of the clutch 17 will be employed. The convertibility phase ofthe machine according to this invention, involves in no way the removal of any of the main operating parts of the machinery onthe car or body of the crane,

which main operating parts are employedv for all of the different types of boom and bucket equipments. The conversion of the crane into a shovel type crane merely involves the application of certain parts to the main operating parts of the main crane machiner on the car or body. Under these conditions there is no possibility of the great loss of time, and the expense, incident to the removal of the drums, like the drums 4 or 5, and the substitution ofa new drum or drums therefor.

It Will be understood of course that when the shovel boom and dipper stick provisions are used with our crane machinery, there is no necessity for a boom raising or hoisting drum action, as the boom is adjusted and malntalned at a permanent inclination. On this account we are enabled to employ the boom hoist drum as a two function driving member, for driving the boom hoist cable in the clamshell, dragline, or other hoisting operations, and for driving the drum 4 when the shovel type boom and dipper are utilized. The sprocket gear detachably attached to the drum 4 is a driven member operated from the driving member or boom hoist drum 13.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure bv Letters Patent, is: v

1. In a convertible-type crane, the combination of a car, crane machinery thereon for operating different kinds of boom and bucket equipment and comprising a main operating drum, a shovel boom and dipper stick equipment connected up so the stick may be. operated by the said drum, and means for operating the drum in opposite directions and at different speeds including a driving member adapted to operate a driving cable for use with clamshell, dragline, and like equipment, and detachable means to drive the said main operating drum from said driving member in one direction for power shovel work to actuate a dipper stick, the last means being detached when the shovel boom and dipper stick equipment is to be dispensed with, and the main operating drum being then adapted to receive and operate a cable for controlling clamshell, dragline, or general hoisting operations.

2. In a convertible type crane, crane machinery for operating either clamshell, dragline, hoisting, or dipper shovel boom and' bucket equipments, comprising a main hoisting drum, a main operating drum, for use to operate a clamshell or a dragline boom and bucket equipment embodymg cables adapted to wind on said'drums, a special boom hoist drum to operate a hoist'cable of the boom of clamshell or dragline bucket equipments, a dipper shovel boom and dipper equipment including a dipper stick to be racked in and crowded out as usual, gearing for operating the boom hoist drum and the main operatig drum for ordinary clam shell or dragline or similar work, and op-' erating connections for driving the main operating drum from the boom hoist drum, and for connecting the main operating drum to thedipper stick to operate the same, when the dipper boom equipment is employed in lieu of the clamshell or other boom an bucket equipment.

3. In a convertible type crane, crane ma-' chinery for operating either clamshell, dragline, hoisting, or dipper shovel boom and bucket equipments, comprising a main hoisting drum, a main operating drum, for use to operate a clamshell or a dragline boom and bucket equipment embodying cables adapted to wind on said drums, a special boom hoist drum to operate a hoist cable of the boom of clamshell or dragline bucket equipments, a dipper shovel boom and dip per equipment including a dipper stick to be racked in and crowded out as usual, gearin for operating the boom hoist drum and otl ier drums for ordinary clamshell or dragline or similar work, and operating connections for driving the main operating drum from the boom hoist drum, and .in a direction opposite that in which the main drum is actuated by said gearing, and for connecting the main operating drum to the dipper stick to operate the same, when the dipper boom equipment is employed in lieu of the clamshell or other boom and bucket equipment. v

4. In a'convertible type crane, crane machinery for operating either clamshell, dragline, hoisting, or dipper shovel boom and buckete ui ments com risin a main hoistq P e ing drum, a main operating drum, for use to operate a clam shell or a dragline boom and bucket equipment embodying cables adapted to wind on said drums, a special boom hoist drum to operate a hoist cable of the boom of clamshell or dragline bucket equipments, a dipper shovel boom and dipper equipment including a dipper stick-to be racked in and crowded out as usual, gearing for operating the boom hoist drum and the main operating drum for ordinary clamshell or dragline or similar work, and operating connectlons fordriving the main operating drum from the boom hoist drum, and in a direction opposite I and ata speed reduced as compared with the speed of the main drum when operated from said gearing, in which the main drum is actuated by said gearing, and for connecting one of said last mentioned two drums to the dipper stick to operate the same, when the dipper boom equipment is employed in lieu of the clamshell or other boom and bucket equipment.

5. In a convertible type crane, crane maing for operating the boom hoist drum and the main operating drum for ordinary clam shell or dragline or similar work, and removable operating connections for driving the main operating drum, from the boom hoist drum, and for connecting one of said drums to the dipper stick to operate the same, when the dipper boom equipment is employed in lieu of the clamshell or other boom and bucket equipment.

6. In a convertible type crane, crane ma- :chinery for operating either clamshell, dragline, hoisting, or dipper shovel boom and bucket equipments, comprising a main hoisting drum, a mam operating drum, for use to operate a clamshell or a draglineboom and bucket equipment embodying "cables adapted to wind on saiddrums, a special boom hoist drum to operate a hoist cable of the boom of clamshell or dragline bucket equipments, a dipper shovel boom and dipper equipment including a dipper stick to be racked in and crowded out as usual,

gearing for operating the boom hoist-drum and the main operating drum for ordinary clamshell or dragline or similar work, andv operating connections for driving the main operating drum from the boom hoist drum, and for connecting the main operating drum to the dipper stick to operate the same, when the dipper boom equipment is employed in lieu of the clamshell or other boom and bucket equipment, the connection for connecting the main operating drum to the dipper stick consisting of a sprocket gear detachably secured to the drum, and a sprocket chain leading from the said sprocket gear to the dipper stick.

7. In a convertible crane, crane machinery which comprises a main hoist drum, a main operating drum, the two drums adapted to receive and operate cables in conjunction with the main operating drum dipper stick racking in -wor boom hoist drum with the main operating drum for turning the main operating drum dipper stick crowding out work, gearing for driving the main operating drum in the opposite direction and at big er speed for and detachable means to connect the dipper stick with the main operating drum for communicating movement of the main operating drum in opposite directions, to the dipper stick, when the shovel boom and dipper stick equipment is employed in lieu of other boom and bucket equipment.

8. In a convertible crane, crane machinery which com rises a main hoist drum, a main operating rum, the two drums adapted to receive and operate cables in conjunction with clamshell, dragline boom and bucket equipments, a'boom hoist drum adapted to drive a boom hoist cable .for said equipments, and shovel boom and di per stick equipment adapted to be substituted for corresponding 0 amshell and dragline equipments, detachable means for connecting the boom hoist drum with the main operating drum for turning the main operating drum at a low speed and in one direction for dipper stick crowding out work, gearing for driving the main operating drum in the opposite direction and at hl er speed for'dipper stick racking in wori, and detachab e means to connect the dip er stick or communicating movement of the main operatmg drum in opposite directions, to the dipper; stick, when the shovel boom and dipper stick equipment is em loyed in lieu of other boom and bucket equipment, the detachable means for connecting the boom hoist drum and the main operatmg drum consist'in of suitable gearing adapted to be rendere inoperative when the crane machine is used for other than shovel boom an dipper stick work.

9. In a convertible t e crane, crane machinery for operating eit er clamshell, dragline, hoisting, or dipper shovel boom and bucket equipments, comprising a main hoisting drum, a main operating drum, for use to operate a clamshell or a dragline boom and bucket equipment embodying cables adapted to wind on said drums, a separate drum ada ted for a driving action, a dipper shove boom and dipper equipment including a dipper stick to be racked in and crowded out as usual, gearing for operating the boom hoist drum and the main operating drum for ordinary clamshell or dragline or similar work, and operating connections for driving the main operating drum from the boom hoist drum, and for connecting the main operating drum ,to the dipper stick to operate the same, when the dipper boom equipment is employedin lieu of the clamshell or other boom and bucket equipment. at a low speed and in one direction for 10. In a convertible type crane, crane machinery for operating either clamshell, dragline, hoisting, or dipper shovel boom and bucket equipments, comprising a main hoisting drum, a main operating drum, for use to operate a clamshell or a dragline boom and bucket equipment embodying cables adapted to wind on said drums, a special boom hoist drum to operate a hoist cablepf the boom of clamshell or dragline buckct equipments, a dipper shovel boom and dip per equipment including a dipper stick to be racked in and crowded out as usual, gearing for operating the boom hoist drum and the main operating drum for ordinary clamshell or dragline or similar work, and operating connections for driving the mamoperating drum from the boom hoist drum, and for connecting the main operating drum to the dipper stick to operate the same, when the dipper boom equipment is employed in lieu of the clamshell or other boom and bucket equipment, the connection for connecting the main operatin drum to the dipper stick consisting of exible and detachable driving means intermediate the two.

11. In a convertible crane, crane machinery which comprises a main hoist drum, a main operating drum, the two drums adapted to receive and operate cables in conjunction with clamshell, dragline boom and bucket equipments, a boom hoist drum ada ted to drive a boomhoist cable for said equipments, and shovel boom and dipper stick equipment adapted to be substituted for corresponding clamshell and dragline equip-- ments, means for connecting the boom hoist drum with the main operating drum for turning the main operating drum at a low speed and in one direction for dipper stick crowding out work; gearing for drlvin the main operatin drum in the opposite irection and at higher speed for dipper stick racking in work, and detachable means to connect the dipper stick with the main operating drum for communicating movement of the main operating drum in op osite directions, to the dipper stick, when t e shovel boom and dipper stick equipment is 'employed in lieu of other boom and bucket equipment.

12. A crane comprising operating machinery as follows: A main operating cable drum and main hoisting cable drum for dragline and clamshellwork, a boom hoisting drum, a dipper shovel boom and dip 1' speed and susceptible of being rendered instick e uipment. operating connections active, and means to o erate the 0 erating I tween t e main operating drum and di per drum independently o the 'boom oisting stick to impart racking in and crow mg drum and in an opposite direction.

movements thereto removable to leave the In testimony w ereof we aflix our signaoperating drum free for other than shovel tures. work, means to operate the operating drum n A. E. HOLCOMB.

from the boom hoisting drum at a desired LESLIE A. RUSSELL. 

